My neighbor bought this tool in a yard sale.

He asked me to help identify what it was used for.

The blade is like a paddle, the handle is spring loaded, kinda like a pin punch.
It has about a pound of lead in it up top.
when you push on the head the spring snaps the paddle down.
There are no hammer marks, it used by hand pressure.

We have our own ideas, but there is a lot of experience on here.

Thanks, Joe

I could say, it looks like a tape measure to me, but that would be a bad joke. Seriously, I don't know.

Shipyards,....OLD shipyards,.....for driving oakum between hull and deck seams

GTC

Pipe tobacco tamper

No, nice guess though. Caulking was done with a beetle(mallet) and horsing iron. (Which looked much like a short spud bar).

My guess would be some sort of scraper. Check to see if one side of the blade has been beveled.

Oakum is used to seal cast iron pipe joints as well. Might have been used for that given it shape.

That round end of the handle looks like a palm grip, more than a flat surface for hammering on.

Ice chipper??

That's my only guess.

That's what I thought.

From the old days of ice boxes and ice delivery.

Assuming the handle is metal, which it appears to be, even wearing gloves I doubt they could chip ice for very long.

I am inclined to think it may be for removing bike tyres to get at the tube.

Used to make knots and loops in large diameter hemp rope.

No reason for a fid to be spring loaded or weighted with lead.

Does it have any markings? Maker's Mark, patent number, anything?

LEO 'Slapper'!!

Acme Monkey Butt Cheek Separator. Useful on camping trips and extended wilderness hiking excursions.

Brokeback Andy's masturbation tool.

tool used to open wooden crates?

Politician's tongue depressor.

I don't think the bike tire or hemp rope ideas are too far off the mark.
Looks like it's used to separate something without damaging it in the process.
A sailor would use a blade called a marlinspike to loosen a knot in a rope.
I actually have a tool like the one in the picture. Would like to know exactly what it is.

I am guessing it might be used in working leather in some way. Cheers NC

It operates like a "snap punch", but in chisel form. Can you tell what metal is it made from? If steel, a bath in Apple cider vinegar will remove the rust, and reveal any marking now concealed.

StarfishGazer training aid.

Bunghole spreader.

A tool used to remove a "Strong Democrats" head out of his ass.

Chisel

Pig castration device.

Used in stone masonry....with the pre-set spring loaded bullnose you get a more consistent removal-chip size.

I could see it used in stone masonry, Starman. I built a stone fireplace and I had to chip many, many rocks to get them to fit. I could see that tool chipping off pieces of a rock.

Shoe or boot spoon.

Window punch for a 747

Tire iron

Leather or upholstery work is what I am guessing too.

It's an arrowhead making tool - see the one it made in the upper left of the photo?